Aaron Robinson

*Viewing: Friday, February 19, 2021, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The Stage Road Chapel of M. J. Edwards Funeral Home

*Celebration of Life: Saturday, February 20, 2021, 10 a.m.

The Stage Road Chapel of M. J. Edwards Funeral Home

4445 Stage Road

*Interment: Thursday February 25, 2021, 12:00 Noon

New Park Cemetery 4536 Horn Lake Road Memphis, TN 38106

Rev. James Gregory Tate, Officiating

OBITUARY

Aaron Robinson was born on November 24, 1929 in Boyle, Mississippi, to Alean Davis Robinson and Harry Robinson. On Saturday morning, February 6, 2021, the angel of peace called him home and he died at Methodist Hospital after a long illness. He was 91.

Aaron was a gentle spirit with a quiet power in which those who knew him respected and loved. His many roles in a life well lived, spoke volumes about who he was as a man and how he lived. He was a son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, veteran, trucker, farmer, grandfather, and great grandfather and of course, father to his four children, but a father-figure to so many.

As a youngster, Aaron grew up in rural Boyle, Mississippi, the third of four brothers. He loved to play baseball with his siblings and enjoyed watching the game during his not so frequent spare time. Aaron worked in the fields alongside his parents who were sharecroppers. He attended school until the 10th grade and dropped out to help farm the land full-time. The family later moved to Cleveland, Mississippi, where his mother was employed as a domestic worker and his father worked road construction.

Although Aaron had close family ties, his adventuresome spirit called him to try his wings and explore life. Consequently, when he was drafted in the U.S. Army on November 14, 1951, he took it in stride. But while in the service, he moved and settled in Memphis two years later. Aaron served in the 26th Infantry Regiment in Germany during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Private First Class. He was also awarded the Occupational Medal while serving in Germany. On November 13, 1959, he was honorably discharged. But while still in the service, Aaron completed the requirements of his high school diploma in 1958 at Booker T. Washington Night School in Memphis.

After moving to Memphis in 1953, Aaron joined Friendship Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. F. R. Nelson, the following year, in 1954. The move to Memphis and joining Friendship were pivotal points in Aaron’s life because at Friendship, he met the love of his life, Clara Mae Hollins. The couple dated and married on May 14, 1955 in Desoto County, Mississippi. To this union, four children were born. Also after joining the church, he immersed himself in the church and the community and became an active member of the Klondike Civic Club. He was a member of Friendship for 59 years, serving faithfully as a member of the Imperial Choir, Men’s Bible class and Board of Trustees. In 2014, Aaron joined First Baptist Church – Broad Avenue, under the leadership of Rev. Keith Norman, where he remained a member until his passing.

Aaron’s love of travel and adventure facilitated his eventual career of over-the-road and local truck driver. He worked as a truck driver for Weona Foods and Malone-Hyde Foods companies. However, in 1966, he began driving for The Kroger Company and retired in January 1991, after 25 years. At The Kroger Company, he was given two nick names. Aaron was given the first nick name of “Highway Slim” by one of his co-workers and known by the name throughout his work career. The second nick name was given to him by the dispatch team at the Kroger warehouse naming him, “The Paper Towel Man,” due to his habit of arriving to work 30 minutes before his shift and (pre-covid 19), wiping down the interior of his assigned truck. Aaron’s uniform was always ironed and pressed to perfection and he was always “on time.”

He loved the road, but once he was home, he enjoyed nothing more than couch sitting, watching his favorite TV shows such as “Gunsmoke,” “Wheel of Fortune”, “Family Feud” and Western Movies, and of course, baseball and his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

Enjoying family gatherings, dinners, and barbecues was always to his liking because he enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, grandchildren and great grands. Last, but certainly not least, was his Lincoln Town Car. His latest was a candy apple red four door. In early years, he enjoyed driving with the family to see his mother in Mississippi and any other location where he could enjoy the drive, while listening to his favorite radio station, WDIA and gospel music. And, with a Lincoln Town car being dressed to the nines was also his forte.

Aaron’s parents, Alean and Harry Robinson and his three brothers, Bill Hunt, Roscoe Hunt and Earl Robinson, all preceded him in death. Aaron’s wife, Clara Mae Robinson, preceded him in death on September 13, 1993.

He leaves to mourn his passing a stepsister, Ora (Frank) Lewis of Cordova; a stepbrother, Marshall (Rosie) James of Cleveland, Mississippi; two daughters, Carolyn Merriweather and Sharon (Otis, Jr.) Matthews; two sons, Marvin Robinson and Christopher A. Robinson, all of Memphis; a stepson, Melvin L. Hollins of Pacoima, California; 10 grandchildren, Miron Robinson, Maya Robinson, Maurice Merriweather, Jr., Otis Matthews, III, Christian Robinson, Maliyah Robinson, Calyn Robinson, Cayden Robinson, all of Memphis; DaVaughn Hollins of Los Angeles and April Hollins of Atlanta, and four great grandchildren, Aaron Shamir Robinson, Denez Hall, Kennedy Hollins and Kai Hollins.

There will be no repast due to Covid-19 guidelines.

Celebration of Life Services on Sat Feb 20 is reserved for Family members only.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the following foundations

“in memory of Aaron Robinson” James B. Collins Memorial Fund – James B. Collins Memorial Fund, Inc. | Facebook Online(Paypal) at James B. Collins Memorial Golf Classic (jamesbcollinsmemorialfund.org)

By mail: James B. Collins Memorial Fund

4010 N. Tonya Marie Cove Memphis, Tn 38135

Baptist Memorial Heathcare Foundation Online: https://bmhgiving.org

By mail: Baptist Memorial Heathcare Foundation

350 North Humphreys Blvd Memphis, Tn 38120

Livestream Information:

Tim Bachus is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Celebrating the life Aaron Robinson Time: Feb 20, 2021 09:45 AM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87946370363 Meeting ID: 879 4637 0363 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87946370363# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,87946370363# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 879 4637 0363 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdqDvPPMF3